Our exhibition
Kirsten Flagstad received, and wrote, a vast amount of letters. Everything from business to letters from eager fans and young singing talents was answered promptly but properly. At one point, she was accused of not writing any of the letters herself because the writing on the envelopes was identical to that of the letter inside. Surely a Diva of such standing would not address her own envelopes? It was not uncommon for assistants to even pre-signed photos of important artists, but Kirsten never had an assistant. Kirsten took pride in answering all the letters herself. This silver letter clip with her name engraved was a gift from an admirer. Perhaps someone knows where she got it from?
- 1/5
This first item is a framed photograph of Kirsten Flagstad as a young girl. Even as a 1-year-old, the musicality had begun to show and she called herself "Titten Tangerin", or Kirsten Singer. Maja Flagstad and Michael Flagstad, her parents, were renowned musicians in Kristiania. This pictures is taken in 1896 and is a part of a series of family photos. - 2/5
With item nr. 2 we make a jump in Kirsten Flagstad's career. Kirsten Flagstad had her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1935, and her final season at the opera house in 1952. The then director Rudolf Bing gave her this trophy as a thank you for her outstanding performances at the opera. "To Kirsten Flagstad from her friends of the Metropolitan Opera who present this token of their profound gratitude for her magnificent performances." Below are her roles inscribed. This trophy is now on display at the museum. - 3/5
Kirsten loved all her godchildren and she loved making them gifts. This beautiful porcelain doll Kirsten made for one of her godchildren here in Norway and is now a part of our exhibiton. - 4/5
Kirsten Flagstad had one grandson whom she was very fond of. Sigurd Dusenberry Hall was born and raised in the United States and has been to the museum several times. He talks so fondly about his grandmother who he remembers well. This sweater and hat was knitted to him as a young boy by Kirsten Flagstad and the recipe was later shown in Allers magazin in the 1990s. - 5/5
Kirsten Flagstad was contacted by The Metropolitan Opera House in New York as early as 1929. She ignored these inquiries for a long time, until she sent pictures and CVs out of sheer courtesy. It was not until 1934 that after much thought she accepted to sing for director Giulio Gatti-Casazza and conductor Arthur Bodanzky. On her way to the hotel where the audition was to take place, she found a "lucky coin" which she put on this bracelet when it later turned out that she got the job. It was this job that made her career accelerate and she became world famous one morning in February 1935. It was later said that she helped save The Met from going bankrupt.
Do you have anything from Kirsten Flagstad or her family? We are constantly working to find information about Kirsten and her assets. Feel free to contact us if there is anything you would like to share with the museum
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